Maceo E. Waring III

Maceo Emerson Waring III was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 23, 1955, to Lois Marie Harvey and Maceo Emerson Waring, Jr. He departed this life at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, on April 13, 2025. From age two, Maceo, affectionately called "Beano" by family and close friends, was raised by his adoptive parents, Henry and Bessie Brown. He was educated in the Philadelphia public school system. In October 1972, at the age of 17, Maceo decided to enlist in the United States Army, completing his education and earning his high school diploma during his military service. During his tour of duty, he was stationed at Fort Dix military base in New Jersey and Germany. After four years of service, Maceo received an honorable discharge in 1976. Upon returning to civilian life in Philadelphia, Maceo worked in retail jewelry sales for a few years and completed studies at the Craft School of Tailoring, earning his diploma in 1981. Maceo used his newly acquired tailoring skills as an apprentice to a professional tailor and to make his own clothes. He gained a reputation for being quite a stylish dresser. In 1985, Maceo became employed by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), where he worked primarily as a bus operator but also spent a few years as a train operator on the Market-Frankford elevated line. Maceo demonstrated an admirable work ethic - always arriving at work early, impeccably dressed in uniform, and performing his job "by the book." He took pride in the fact that he had an exemplary work record. Outside work, he quickly reminded anyone riding in his car that they were in good hands because he "drove for a living". He regularly shared animated stories about the "interesting" passengers he picked up during his shift. After 30 years of service, Maceo retired from SEPTA in January 2016. In addition to his day job at SEPTA, Maceo became a multilevel marketing salesman for two nutritional products, Matol's KM and Morinda's Tahitian Noni juice. Any living, breathing person he encountered during that period was a potential customer, and Maceo was not the least bit shy about making his sales pitch (whether they wanted to hear it or not). No one was off-limits. In the years following his discharge from the military, Maceo became a father to a daughter, Vandelyn Euniece, and a son, Maceo IV. In 1986, while serving as a groomsman in the wedding party of his longtime friend, Maceo met his wife-to-be, the bride's sister. After a five-year courtship, Maceo joined in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Lisa Marie Ellis, on June 22, 1991. Two sons were born from this union, Devon Jamal and Jaron Kendall. Maceo loved his family, and his primary goal was to ensure their well-being. He was an excellent provider who encouraged them in their educational pursuits and admonished them to live as upstanding citizens. He would regularly remind them that there are always "consequences for every action". He supported them in their various interests and endeavors, providing financial support and always providing advice (whether they wanted it or not). Maceo had varied interests in his spare time. As a young man, he studied martial arts and loved to watch and critique old martial arts movies with his best friend, Keith Anderson. He was known for meticulously caring for his cars (no automated car washes and no eating was allowed). He would spend hours washing his car by hand, often recruiting one of his sons to "learn" how to do it. Maceo also enjoyed traveling and visiting several beautiful places with his wife - the favorites being Tahiti and Hawaii. In the years following his retirement, Maceo developed an interest in politics. He regularly listened to the Black Eagle morning talk show and watched MSNBC, and he loved to engage others in conversations about current events. Maceo experienced numerous health challenges during his adult years, the most significant resulting in a kidney transplant in March 2016, just 3 months after his retirement. The transplant surgery was a success, and he got a new lease on life. In subsequent years, he faced several seemingly insurmountable health crises, but by the grace of God, he recovered each time. Like the Energizer bunny, he took a licking and kept on ticking. His resilience amazed those who knew him. On Sunday, April 13, Almighty God allowed him to go to sleep, freeing him from his suffering here on this earth. Maceo leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Lisa Waring; one daughter, Vandelyn Euniece Waring; three sons, Maceo IV, Devon, and Jaron (Talysha) Waring; granddaughters, Tahji Waring, Alaiya Caldwell, and Jade Assata Siler; grandsons, Jaron Kendall Waring, Jr. and Jaxon Samuel Waring; two sisters, Eleanor Jacox, and Vindetta Garvin; godbrother, Luther Floyd; best friend, Keith Anderson; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Maceo E. Waring III

August 23, 1955 - April 13, 2025